NOVEMBER 19, 2006

We are in the end-times. We expect the sudden Return of Jesus to do away

with Satan's and man's sin-prone time of dominion on the earth.

How shall we live in light of the coming apocalypse, the revelation of Jesus Christ?

Paradox: Jesus has delayed his return for 2000 years,

but we are to be ready as if He will return at any moment .

I. Jesus said His Return will be sudden and surprising . Verse 33, Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

Jesus gave seven signs in Matthew 24: 3-14, the point to the His Return:

1. DECEPTION • Jesus answered: Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many (Matthew 24:4-5 (NIV).

2. WORLDWIDE BIRTHPAINS • Matthew 24:6-8 (NIV) You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

3. PERSECUTION • Matthew 24:9 (NIV) Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

4. A GREAT FALLING AWAY • Matthew 24:10 (NIV) At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.

5. FALSE PROPHETS • Matthew 24:11 (NIV), And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people . 1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV), The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

6. WICKEDNESS • Matthew 24:12 (NIV) Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow. Has wickedness been on the increase in the world?

7. WORLDWIDE EVANGELISM • Matthew 24:14 (NIV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

1 Peter 4, The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply (7-8).

II. The Return of Christ will also be the conclusive end of human government on earth. The Return will conclude man's dominion and Satan's dominion in the earth. Now we live on an imperfect earth with imperfect and sin-prone people.

The Bible says that Satan is the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (Eph 2:2, NIV). That's now, but that will all be changed.

Christ will judge the living and the dead (Acts 10: 42)

1 Corinthians 3:13-15: The work of each builder will become visible, for the day will disclose it because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward . If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss .

III. How shall we live in light of the coming apocalypse, the revelation of Jesus Christ?

Serve Jesus.

Obey Jesus.

Be faithful to Jesus.

Love Jesus more than you love this world,

because this world as we know it now will pass away.

You have this one and only life. Make it count for time and eternity.

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come

and his bride has made herself ready (Revelation 19:7).

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